A HUGE STEP FORWARD FOR OUR HEALTH AND THE ENVIROMENT AROUND US
Formaldehyde is a volatile chemical compound that is used in several industrial sectors, including the production of phenolic resins used as binders in abrasive wheels. However, the use of formaldehyde as a binder in abrasive wheels has been a matter of concern due to its potential effects on human health.
Formaldehyde has been classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an agency of the World Health Organization (WHO). Exposure to formaldehyde can cause irritation of the respiratory tract, eyes and skin. Additionally, it has been associated with an increased risk of developing cancer, particularly cancer of the nose and sinuses.
To mitigate the risks associated with the presence of formaldehyde in resinoid bonded abrasive wheels, regulatory measures have been taken in many countries. For example, in Europe, the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation establishes maximum exposure limits for formaldehyde and requires the labeling of substances containing formaldehyde.
In addition, alternatives to formaldehyde have been developed as a binder for abrasive wheels. Some of these alternatives use formaldehyde-free phenolic or epoxy resins. These formaldehyde-free abrasive wheels offer a safer solution for the operators who use them and reduce the risk of exposure to formaldehyde.
Regarding the percentage of formaldehyde present in our wheels, after a long process of research and development we were able to obtain a product that we can proudly define totally free from formaldehyde.
For us, the entire market for metallographic cutting wheels is the extraordinary result that combines the high technical performance of our product, with the complete respect for the health of operators in the sector and the environment around us.